Syria, Turkey to meet if conditions right- Turkish Defense Minister
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler told Reuters on Sunday that Turkey and Syria may hold meetings at the ministerial level to improve relations, provided the right conditions arise.
In an interview with Reuters Guler said “Turkey and Syria could meet at the ministerial level as part of efforts to normalise ties if suitable conditions are created.”
Last month, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he would invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss normalizing relations, which have been strained since 2011.
However, al-Assad indicated that discussions can only take place if Turkey addresses key issues, such as the withdrawal of its military forces from northern Syria.
When asked about the potential withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria, Guler indicated that only when certain steps are achieved, along with ensuring the security of their border that they will take necessary actions.
He said, “We are ready to provide all the support we can for a comprehensive constitution to be accepted, for free elections to be held, and for a comprehensive normalisation and security atmosphere to be created, and only when these are done and the security of our border is fully ensured will we do what is necessary through mutual coordination.”